Friday, November 22, 2013

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Premiere Night

"So you would think that at this moment, I would be in utter despair. Here’s what’s strange. The main thing I feel is a sense of relief. That I can give up this game. That the question of whether I can succeed in this venture has been answered, even if that answer is a resounding no. That if desperate times call for desperate measures, then I am free to act as desperately as I wish." --Suzzanne Collins, Catching Fire—

I have to say now that I’m now a certified Collins Fan. I have watched and loved the first movie and now totally hooked with the trilogy after watching Catching Fire last night. The movie was action packed that I can already imagine how more amazing it is in the book. (BTW, haven’t read them all yet) Of course, just like the other book series turned movie (i.e. Harry Potter, LOTR, Twilight), the book of course contains everything the movies can’t show.



Tuesday, November 5, 2013

On Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl


This is another review on a YA reading challenge in Read Philippines.




"She was elusive. She was today. She was tomorrow. She was the faintest scent of a cactus flower, the flitting shadow of an elf owl. We did not know what to make of her. In our minds we tried to pin her to a cork board like a butterfly, but the pin merely went through and away she flew"

Synopsis: 
One Friday night, in answer to a hurried call from Kevin, Leo rushed to the football stadium where the school's football team was playing. The band was performing at half-time. Usually the band was not notable, but this night Stargirl was with them on the field. She was the center of everyone’s attention and remained so even after the band left the field. She stayed on the field as the players tried to resume the game. When a policeman came after her, she punted the ball and ran out of the stadium. Somehow, Stargirl’s actions and spirit ignited the fans’ spirit. 

Thursday, October 31, 2013

On Paulo Coelho's Manuscript Found in Accra





Thanks to a dear friend of mine that I was able to get hold and read this one-of-kind piece of Paulo Coelho. I have been curious about Paulo Coelho ever since a friend of mine from a youth community kept on talking about his best selling book "The Alchemist". 

SYNOPSIS:


The city of Accra awaits the invasion of the crusaders who have surrounded the gates. There, within the city walls, men and women of every age have gathered to hear the words of a mysterious man known only as the Copt. He has summoned the townspeople to address their fears with truth, hope and comfort. They begin with questions about defeat and struggle; they contemplate the virtues of loyalty and solitude; and they ultimately turn to questions of beauty, love, wisdom, and what the future holds. "What is success?" poses the Copt. "It is being able to go to bed each night with your soul at peace." * * * Now, centuries later, the manuscript containing the Copt's extraordinary insights on courage, solitude, loyalty and loss has been unearthed from a cave in Cairo. A Manuscript Found in Accra is a revelatory exploration of our most enduring and transcendental values, and a testimony to everyday wisdom.
-from Waterstone---

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Kiera Cass' The Selection



“Never judge a book by its cover”

This was the first thought that came out in my mind after reading the first two books of Kiera Cass’ The Selection Trilogy. To be honest, I am not the type of Bookworm who would buy a book covered with girl wearing superb gowns in purely red and blue colors. I don’t even know who Kiera Cass was until National Bookstore announced that she is coming and will be having a book signing in the Manila and Cebu. Curious, I researched her works and got kind of interested with the plot of The Selection. Of course, there were some negative reviews. I didn’t even understand why the character should be named America Singer in the first place. Weird.
Thinking that it would be cool to have a book signed by an author, I convinced my brother to line up there and have her signed the newly bought books. I wasn’t expecting him to do so but he did agree. He was more willing to line up there than go with me to an orphanage where we(a Catholic singles community) went to feed malnourished and sick kids. 

Anyways, enough with all the sidelines already because I’m going to review Kiera Cass’ The Selection and The Elite.

The Selection trilogy is a dystopian young adult story set 300 years in the future that evolves on America Singer, the main protagonist of the story. 

Thursday, August 1, 2013

John Green's The Fault in our Stars



I've been hearing a lot about this John Green piece for a while and I've seen this book in bookstores where I usually hang around but never got to get one for myself.

It wasn't until I stumbled upon Read Philippines that I got interested into reading The Fault in our Stars. The overview kind of intrigued me into reading. Also, it's actually a July Challenge in RP where members are to post their thoughts and reviews on the book and there will be one lucky winner.  

Here is the short summary:

"The story follows the main character, Hazel Grace Lancaster, as she battles cancer. Not only is Hazel trying to live the normal life of a 16-year-old girl, but she is also struggling with what it will be like for her parents after she dies. While Hazel attends a church support group for cancer survivors, she meets a boy that is one year older than her, Augustus Waters. While Augustus had a type of cancer that causes him to lose his leg and wear a prosthetic, it also has a survival rate that is much higher than Hazel's death sentence."
 -"excerpt from Bookrags"

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

On Online Shopping

It's undeniable how online shopping are trending these days. I've seen and hear a lot of advertisements from TV, online and even radios. I will not deny that I am also a fan of these stuff. Not because I', a shopaholic but online shopping saves you from the traffic of getting to department stores and malls and from the tiring hikes on halls and columns looking for something that even the sales lady can't help you.

With online shopping, you get to hop from one shop to another with just pressing your keyboard keys and clicking your mouse. Very easy and you don't even have to line up in the cashier to pay. 

Photo Link

Looking for the stuff you need is also easier since all you have to do is filter the categories. No hassle at all since all you need is just a fast internet connection. While some say that some shops are scam, there's a safe way to avoid it. Always investigate before proceeding in ordering in that certain shop. Read reviews about the site and choose your payment method wisely. If you are not that sure with the shop, then don't pay in advance. You can always pay via Cash on Delivery. it's safer and you can make sure that nothing is taken from you. All you have to do is wait for the delivery and just prepare the amount you need to pay. If they don't deliver, then move on happily since like I said, nothing was taken from you.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Reviewing Superman

After 2004’s Superman Returns, DC Comics presents Man of Steel directed by Zack Snyder finally premiered last June 12, 2013 in Philippines just in time with the Philippines’ celebration of National Independence Day.  I was supposed to watch in IMAX but sadly, I was at the office preparing documents for an upcoming bidding that I was going to attend on the next day. But of course, I am not going to miss it for the world so when Saturday came, will it be IMAX, 3D or 2D, I am going to watch it. I have been waiting for it ever since I saw its trailer in YouTube and the end of Smallville Season 10.



Man of Steel really intrigued many viewers from its trailer and some articles. The trailer appeared to be something darker and dramatic than the earlier Superman films. Not to mention that the new costume in the 2013 movie is literally dark blue and kind of chrome-ish but it is way cooler than the old costumes. One thing that is surprising in this movie is that, compared to all the previous films, viewers will never get to see Superman’s Earth nemesis, the bald villain Lex Luthor and the green Kryptonite to weaken the hero. 


Friday, May 24, 2013

Book of the Moment: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel

Finally, I’m back to being a bookaholic again. Oh, I miss reading stuff and I hate that my work is one of the main reasons I can’t finish a book. Anyways, my book for the moment is Michael Scott’s series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas. Yeah, the name is familiar. You might want to check it out in Wikipedia or review your knowledge of Harry Potter’s first book The Sorcerer’s Stone. Nicholas Flamel is the Alchemist who created the sorcerer’s stone. So, enough on the review-of-related-literature part, let’s get the part about Michael Scott’s series.

The truth is I really haven’t heard of this book until December. There was some little fuss about the Christmas wish list for upcoming Christmas party and I was one of those who didn’t submit a wishlist because honestly, I really didn’t know what I wanted for Christmas so while my officemates were filling up their lists of t-shirts and bags, I searched the web. I thought, I wanted a book this time.  I was actually looking for Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist book at National Bookstore’s online shop when Michael Scott’s Book One of the series entitled “The Alchemist” popped up on the search results and Alas! There goes Michael Scott’s Book One on my wish list.
Photo Link
 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Crazy Little Thing Called "X and Y"

 
It's crazy to think that even in the crazy world of Mathematics, stuff like ways to solving X is applicable in relationships especially, the REBOUNDS..
"Lucky X, Poor Little Y"